The Sterilisation and Disinfection Unit (SDU) at UCH was opened in October 2006 and has certification to ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 and is MDD accredited. The unit is based in University College Hospital and provides a centralised decontamination service to UCLH Foundation Trust. Allied with this is the centralised Endoscopy Decontamination Unit (EDU) for flexible endoscopes and a Neonatal Decontamination Unit.
Core areas:
· Decontamination:
Cleaning medical devices, including dismantling, washing, and drying, ensuring all items are free from debris and contamination.
· Sterilization:
Operating sterilization equipment (like steam or vaporized hydrogen peroxide machines) to eliminate microorganisms.
· Preparation and Packing:
Preparing instrument sets, packing them for sterilization, and ensuring they are correctly labelled and documented.
· Quality Control:
Inspecting equipment for damage or malfunction, documenting all processes, and adhering to quality management systems.
· Distribution:
Collecting and distributing sterile items to various clinical areas within the hospital and potentially to external customers.
· Inventory Management:
Monitoring stock levels of supplies and consumables, placing orders, and receiving deliveries.
· Maintaining a Clean Environment:
Participating in daily cleaning routines and ensuring the Sterile Services Department remains organized and hygienic.
· Following Procedures:
Adhering to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and health and safety guidelines.
· Communication:
Effectively communicating with colleagues and customers regarding workload, priorities, and any issues.
· Training and Development:
Participating in ongoing training to maintain knowledge and skills related to new equipment, procedures, and regulations.
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
• We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinaland oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclearmedicineand pathology.
The unit is open 24 hours but this role is for day shift only.
Shifts on rotation including late, days and weekend working.
Unsocial hours are subject to additional payments when specified hours, including nights weekends or bank holidays are undertaken
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
As an Assistant Technical Officer – Decontamination, you will play a vital role in supporting the safe and effective delivery of healthcare services across the Trust. Based in the Sterile Services Department, you will be part of a highly skilled and dedicated team responsible for ensuring that all reusable medical devices and equipment are decontaminated, sterilised and returned to clinical areas in a timely and compliant manner.
This is a hands-on, operational role where attention to detail, adherence to strict protocols, and a commitment to patient safety are essential. You will work across multiple areas of the Decontamination Service, including:
• Sterile Services – reprocessing surgical instruments and procedure packs.
• Mattress Decontamination – cleaning and reprocessing pressure-relieving and dynamic mattresses.
Endoscopy Decontamination – supporting the safe turnaround of endoscopic equipment.
The Department is responsible for the cleaning, inspection, assembly, packing, sterilizing and distribution of instruments and endoscopes to Wards, Departments and Theatres.
We are looking for a friendly, flexible, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to work in our Department.
You must have a passion for learning and embracing change. Experience is not necessary as training will be given. Applicants must be able to work within a team, but also on their own initiative. They must have a good eye for detail and be able to stand for long periods
Core areas:
· Decontamination:
Cleaning medical devices, including dismantling, washing, and drying, ensuring all items are free from debris and contamination.
· Sterilization:
Operating sterilization equipment (like steam or vaporized hydrogen peroxide machines) to eliminate microorganisms.
· Preparation and Packing:
Preparing instrument sets, packing them for sterilization, and ensuring they are correctly labelled and documented.
· Quality Control:
Inspecting equipment for damage or malfunction, documenting all processes, and adhering to quality management systems.
· Distribution:
Collecting and distributing sterile items to various clinical areas within the hospital and potentially to external customers.
· Inventory Management:
Monitoring stock levels of supplies and consumables, placing orders, and receiving deliveries.
· Maintaining a Clean Environment:
Participating in daily cleaning routines and ensuring the Sterile Services Department remains organized and hygienic.
· Following Procedures:
Adhering to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and health and safety guidelines.
· Communication:
Effectively communicating with colleagues and customers regarding workload, priorities, and any issues.
· Training and Development:
Participating in ongoing training to maintain knowledge and skills related to new equipment, procedures, and regulations.
In essence, the Sterile Services Assistant is a vital part of the healthcare team, ensuring that all medical and surgical equipment is safe, sterile, and ready for use in patient care.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
*UCLH top trust to work at in England- In the most recentNHS staff surveyUCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit:Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit:Why Choose UCLH?
This advert closes on Wednesday 30 Jul 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr